LevelPressure

ImpactPressureWaterColumn

ImpactPressureSeabedHabitats

ImpactPressureFunctionalGroup

Hydrological7_1

HydrologicalWaterColumnHabitats7_2

HydrologicalSeabedHabitats7_2

HydrologicalFunctionalGroups7_2

MarineCoast, Salinity, CurrentVelocity, WaveExposure, Mixing, Turbidity, Transparency, NutrientLevels, OxygenLevels, pH

LitRock, LitSed, ShallRock, ShallCoarseSed, ShallSand, ShallMud, ShallMxdSed

FishDiadromous, FishCoastal, FishPelagic, FishPelagicElasmobranchs, FishDemersal, FishDemersalElasmobranchs, FishDeep_sea, FishDeep_seaElasmobranchs, MammalsSeals, BirdsInshoreBenthic, BirdsInshoreHerbiv, BirdsInshorePelagic, BirdsInshoreSurface, BirdsIntertidalBenthic, BirdsOffshorePelagic, BirdsOffshoreSurface

N/A

N/A

NotAssessed

NotAssessed

NotAssessed

NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

Not assessed – insufficient data and lack of established methods

Not assessed – insufficient data and lack of established methods

Not assessed – insufficient data and lack of established methods

Not assessed – insufficient data and lack of established methods

The datasets used to assess hydrological change give a good indication of where sectoral activities are taking place, however the actual environmental impacts on the water column have not been assessed.

The datasets used to assess hydrological change give a good indication of where sectoral activities are taking place, however the actual environmental impacts on the seabed have not been assessed.

The datasets used to assess hydrological change give a good indication of where sectoral activities are taking place, however the actual environmental impacts on functional groups have not been assessed.

For WFD reporting purposes Ireland has identified a total of 112 coastal water bodies. These encompass an area of approximately 13,000km2 and account for less than 3% of the MSFD Assessment Area. Coastal infrastructure e.g. ports, some 90 km of sea defences, cooling water discharges from power stations and sewage outflow pipes are considered to be the main contributors to this pressure within Ireland’s Assessment Area. Based on the WFD assessment of mostly inshore location of these activities and associated pressures it is reasonable to conclude that <1% of the MSFD area is likely to be affected by this pressure. Of all WFD coastal water bodies, Rosslare Port (Co. Wexford), Killbegs Harbour (Co. Donegal) and Cork Harbour (Co. Cork), which have a combined area of approximately 34km2, have been designated as Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWB). There are no Artificial Water Bodies (AWB) in the Assessment Area. This figure is considered low by European standards (ETC/ICM, 2012) and accounts for <1% (0.007%) of the MSFD reporting area. During the WFD water body classification stage (2007-2009) it was determined that 30 out of 34 assessed coastal water bodies (88%) retain hydromorphological characteristics which would support the achievement of at least Good Ecological Status. In four areas the hydromorphology would potentially result in a deterioration in ecological quality. The three HMWBs are classified as having an ecological potential of Moderate. Overall, the structures and activities that are identified as sources of possible hydrological modifications are present at a relatively low density and any changes are expected to be localised. In the offshore environment, Ireland has few economic sectors associated with hydrological change. Offshore activity is limited to two offshore platforms and seven wind turbines. There is, however, an expectation that these industries will expand their operations in the future (Harnessing our Ocean Wealth, 2012). There is no active aggregates sector or desalination. Based the present assessment and expert judgment, it is estimated that <1% of the assessment area is at risk of permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions.

Coastal infrastructure such as harbour walls, piers, training walls, sewage and cooling water outflow and 90km of coastal defences (combined total comprising 1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline; OSI 1:50,0000) have the potential to alter substrates, wave exposure, flow rates and possibly temperature and salinity regimes. Any effects are likely to be site specific and generalised statements on impacts cannot be made. Current offshore energy production (hydrocarbon and wind) is not thought to have any significant effect on hydrological processes.

Coastal infrastructure such as harbour walls, piers, training walls, sewage and cooling water outflow and 90km of coastal defences (1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline; OSI 1:50,0000) can potentially impact coastal communities (e.g. benthos, macro-algae and shellfish) if sedimentary regimes are changed and natural substrates are replaced with hard structures. Any effects are likely to be site specific and generalised statements on impacts cannot be given. Current offshore energy production (hydrocarbon and wind) is not thought to have any significant effect on the seabed or benthic communities.

Coastal infrastructure such as harbour walls, piers, training walls, sewage and cooling water outflow and 90km of coastal defences (1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline; OSI 1:50,0000) have the potential to alter seabed and water column conditions on which native or migratory seabirds, mammals and fish species rely on for food, shelter and/or breeding. The extent of the changes presently occurring is unknown but is not considered to have the potential to affect marine ecosystems at a broad scale. Activity associated with current offshore energy production (hydrocarbon and wind) is not thought to impact on seabird, mammals or fish.

High

Non related GES component

Non related GES component

Non related GES component

Stable

Increase

Coastal infrastructure (reported as 'LandClaimDefence' under Ranking): Port developments, 90km of coastal infrastructure (1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline, determined at a scale of 1:50,000) and sewage and cooling water outflows have the potential to affect coastal geomorphology as soft substrates are replaced by hard substrata. Shifts in siltation rates and changes to temperature and salinity regimes may also occur and affect local hydrodynamics and coastal communities but is not considered to have the potential to affect marine ecosystems at a broad scale.

Coastal infrastructure (reported as 'LandClaimDefence' under Ranking): Port developments, 90km of coastal infrastructure (1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline, determined at a scale of 1:50,000) and sewage and cooling water outflows have the potential to affect coastal geomorphology as soft substrates are replaced by hard substrata. Shifts in siltation rates and changes to temperature and salinity regimes may also occur and affect local hydrodynamics and coastal communities but is not considered to have the potential to affect marine ecosystems at a broad scale.

Coastal infrastructure (reported as 'LandClaimDefence' under Ranking): Port developments, 90km of coastal infrastructure (1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline, determined at a scale of 1:50,000) and sewage and cooling water outflows have the potential to affect coastal geomorphology as soft substrates are replaced by hard substrata. Shifts in siltation rates and changes to temperature and salinity regimes may also occur and affect local hydrodynamics and coastal communities but is not considered to have the potential to affect marine ecosystems at a broad scale.

Coastal infrastructure (reported as 'LandClaimDefence' under Ranking): Port developments, 90km of coastal infrastructure (1.5% of the MSFD Assessment Area coastline, determined at a scale of 1:50,000) and sewage and cooling water outflows have the potential to affect coastal geomorphology as soft substrates are replaced by hard substrata. Shifts in siltation rates and changes to temperature and salinity regimes may also occur and affect local hydrodynamics and coastal communities but is not considered to have the potential to affect marine ecosystems at a broad scale.

• LandClaimDefence
• UsesActivitiesOther

• LandClaimDefence
• UsesActivitiesOther

• LandClaimDefence
• UsesActivitiesOther

• LandClaimDefence
• UsesActivitiesOther

Although spatial sectoral data is available for this initial assessment, Ireland is presently developing methods to expand baseline data in order to identify, assess and prioritise pressure/sector relationships to support the establishment of appropriate targets and indicators.

Although spatial sectoral data is available for this initial assessment, Ireland is presently developing methods to expand baseline data in order to identify, assess and prioritise pressure/sector relationships to support the establishment of appropriate targets and indicators.

Although spatial sectoral data is available for this initial assessment, Ireland is presently developing methods to expand baseline data in order to identify, assess and prioritise pressure/sector relationships to support the establishment of appropriate targets and indicators.

Although spatial sectoral data is available for this initial assessment, Ireland is presently developing methods to expand baseline data in order to identify, assess and prioritise pressure/sector relationships to support the establishment of appropriate targets and indicators.